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What's a better word for apple?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I was reading a Lucky magazine article where they talked about what to wear to flatter different figures and they had cute names for the other shapes, like flute instead of rectangle and dewdrop instead of pear. Dewdrop sounds so lovely! But their apple was just...apple. I am tired of being an apple! It sounds so unattractive and Fruit of the Loom-ish. Nobody ever says, "Oh, what a lovely apple figure you have!" Help me change my figure! What's a better/nicer word for apple? Peach? It's easier than doing a million situps!

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Body Type

42 replies

Latest reply was from

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Hmmmmm, I see what you mean!

Well, I started out thinking "Hey, French always sounds sophisticated. I know, I'll look up the translation!" I was incredibly non-plussed to see it is La Pomme. And "Melona" in Italian isn't really any better. And Germany's "apfel" isn't really a lot of use to us either, is it?!

So then I started thinking "Well, if we are stuck with Apple, why don't I look up a few different varieties of apples?!" My friend Google directed me to this site http://www.orangepippin.com/apples

I never realised there were so many varieties! Who knew that one person could be
a Bountiful; another, the Broad-eyed pippin. Personally, I wish to be known from now on as a Buff. Can you tell that I made it through to the "B" varieties and then got bored? Hang on, I just looked up K and saw there was a Katy apple. It's destiny! What do you think?

Ultimately, I think we just need to remember that Gwyneth thought apples were so beautiful she decided to call her child one. Surely that gives us cred?

Irene

Veteran

Moon Shape

Mochi

Veteran

Personally, I don't mind apple. It could be a lot worse!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

As a fellow apple, I totally hear you Natalie! Unfortunatley, I have no other options at this point (I did giggle at your Fruit of the Loom pic!).

Anonymous

IKWYM Natalie! I vote for peach. Its sounds much more lucious to me.....plus you get that cleavage connotation going on, lol!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I never fit into any category. I like apple better than "um... whatever."

Corina88

hahaha i think if I did have a choice, i'd change it into a peach! tht sounds delish, soft, demure, ladylike, and at the same time, firm and assertive

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I came up with these descriptions and thought long and hard about them. I have tried very hard to understand what feels demeaning about gorgeous fruits like apples and pears and I'm afraid that I just don't have the same wavelength here.

How can an apple be worse than a peach or the moon? How can a dewdrop be better than a pear or butternut?

I'm sorry that you feel this way, Natalie and Shannon. If I could make you feel better, I would!! But I am at a loss here

Anonymous

I guess if you want a word that's not a fruit but sounds wonderful, all I can think of that's round is PEARL.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ruth, you made me smile with "pearls"

Something I forgot to say in my first comment: It really doesn't matter how you reference the body type because it's just a guideline and a starting point - there for those who find it useful. Your focus is on glorious YOU and it's positive fabness and nothing else. No need to feel boxed by a body type.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Angie--of course it's not a knock against you! I thought apple and pear were widely used terms. I actually think pear sounds lovely too. But for some reason when I hear apple I can't get that silly Fruit of the Loom guy out of my head! And I'm feeling self-conscious about that extra pound or two from the holidays that seems to have settled right there.

I just wanted a change of perspective for a bit. It's more tongue in cheek than anything.

Isis

Veteran

I like these words, perhaps because I love apples and pears! I look forward to fall when they come in season.

One nice thing about these descriptors is that each apple and pear is different in color and shape, just like we are!

Carole

Veteran

I rather like apples! Peaches too! Now that I think about it there is nothing sexy about the sound of Inverted triangle! Or rectangle for that matter!

Jjsloane

Veteran

I much prefer Apple to what my shape really is like - Potato!

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hmmm....well, Spanish for apple is la manzana. in Ca we have the very beautiful Manzanita plants, with incredible bark and beautiful blossoms that develop into 'little apples'.

How does 'Manzanita' sound?

Kendall Farr just uses A, B, and C. the 'apple' shape is A. Good for the utilitarian types! steph

catgirl

Veteran

How about jewelry cuts? That makes me a "trillion"...

http://www.gottrocks.com/gemstone_shapes.htm

Seriously, I'm pretty sure the only shape that elicits a naturally happy response is hourglass, as that's the societal perception of the "right shape" for women. The rest of us (and hourglasses too!) have to learn that all shapes have their stuggles and joys.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Don't you worry at all about it Angie!
Natalie - I think as long as we remember the "Adorable" in front of Apple, we'll be fine!

rachylou

Veteran

Wait... does apple mean you're an inverted triangle? I thought it meant you carried weight around the middle...

Aziraphale

Veteran

I wouldn't necessarily say that the only shape that elicits a happy response is the hourglass, Una. I quite like my shape, and I'm not an hourglass. And I know lots of women who look fabulous, and they come in all shapes and sizes.

That said, I think some figures are easier to dress than others with the clothing that's currently out there. If a woman is average height or slightly on the tall side, if she's slender, and if her waist is quite a bit smaller than her hips, I think she has an easier time fitting into 'off the rack' clothing. But Angie -- feel free to chime in if you disagree, because of course i'm no expert!

This reminds me of a topic that has come up before. Do you think women would be more satisfied with their bodies in general if everyone had their clothes made to fit them, rather than trying to fit into off-the-rack clothes? (I know it's impractical, but humour me).

HelenInCanada

Veteran

This thread is hilarious! I don't mind Adorable Apple (though it's hard to actually see you as an apple, GP!), but I can see why the term might have funnily off-putting connotations. Um, Katiepea is hysterical - Melona and La Pomme! How about Mama Pearl? Soft Centered? Proud Cookie? LOL.

catgirl

Veteran

Elizabeth, I absolutely think people would be happier that way. I have my Indian clothes made in India and it is the ultimate joy.

I'm not saying everyone is thrilled with hourglass, but most people know what that means and that it is an acceptable shape (in the eyes of society). For example, women do not get surgery to have padding added to their middle. Not saying I condone this viewpoint, only that I think there's some underlying beliefs that need to be acknowledged. Plus a lot of the "goals" of learning to dress is to create more balance (in my case, I need hips!), which is some form of hourglass. I personally don't always strive for a waist or balance or the most traditionally "flattering" look - however, it's often part of the formula.

Not to make an example of our lovely Jayne, but this is what made me think of it: on her body type post, she stated "But after reading I was an hourglass, I felt I had won a prize." Now I don't know whether that's just joy from finding out information, or truly feeling lucky to be an hourglass. But I totally understand it, even though I've come to realize hourglasses have their challenges like the rest of us. I mean, I get it from two cultures - India and the U.S.

Really not trying to offend anyone - this is a good discussion!

ironkurtin

Veteran

The more I think about this, the more I love "apple." A good apple is juicy and delicious. I think this gives such a nice connotation to the juicy and delicious middle area on appley women.

I wonder if I would feel the same if the inverted triangle was called a strawberry?

catgirl

Veteran

Great thought, IK! It's really all about changing our thinking. Instead of a problem, I now think of my shoulders as a source of strength and a way to make up for my lack of height!

Heather

Veteran

Natalie, I know it is relative about what terms or words bug us (remember that thread we had on words that disturb?) So you are right to your opinion and thoughts of the FotL Apple.

In any case, I think body type/shape is also relative. One can be a size 2 apple and a size 12 hour glass. Like Angie said, the body type definitions are a launch pad, not a negative label.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Oh, Una, I wasn't trying to offend you (or anyone!) either!

I'm heading into dangerous waters here...but I think a big part of the reason the hourglass (especially the slender hourglass) shape is so popular here is that it signals youth and fertility. We're a culture that's fixated on youth and beauty, but across all cultures, regardless of the preferred size for a woman, there is a preference for the 'right' waist-to-hip ratio (about 0.7). All the changes wrought by menopause (smaller breasts, thicker middle, dry skin and thinning of the hair and lips) diminish a woman's attractiveness because they signal the end of the fertile part of her life.

I should add that I'm by no means implying that post-menopausal women can't be gorgeous! I'm just saying that there's probably a good reason no one wants to add bulk to their midsection, and it has a lot to do with biology and natural selection.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Hmmm...the debate about body types is interesting. I'm a shortie, but I have friends who are 5'9 and up who complain that pant lengths are above the ankles on them, and sleeves are too short, and make them feel a fool. They often have to shop in specialty shops, where the selection is not always the greatest. Then again, some other women envy their height. So, it's probably smartest just to embrace what you've got and work it!

fern

Veteran

I was reading quite a bit about clothing ca. 1920 (in the U.S.), and the 1910's were when factory-made clothing became "affordable" and more common, versus custom made (mostly home made). That was the first time standardized sizing became something women had to think about, and it did cause a lot of dissatisfaction.
Of course, that time still had idealized body shapes (Gibson girl - not an apple), and advertising was on the rise at the same time....

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Thanks guys for bringing a smile to my face. Some of your phrases crack me up! I guess being an apple isn't so bad after all--better than being a soft centered nougat. Hee hee! I don't think fruit phrases are demeaning at all...they're lovely, I just feel stuck in a rut and want to change things up a bit. Hence wanting to try out peach or other phrases. IK, strawberry is perfect for IT! I love it! And Angie, I think "Adorable Apple" is really cute, please don't be offended!

Thanks for the boost Helen...I think you may not see me as an apple because I'm a slender apple and as a bombshell I use waist definition a lot to create the illusion of a slim waist...I tend to feel more round when I do waist surrender. I am trying to make peace with my little buddha baby belly. I do think I wouldn't worry about it at all if all my clothes were custom fit...wouldn't that be nice! It only comes up when I'm trying to buy clothes and they're so tight around the waist and loose everywhere else. It's hard but I have to keep reminding myself that it's not my body's fault, it's the clothes' fault if I don't fit.

ETA: Anna, I'm not trying to change what people call apples on this forum...just in my own head! I want to change things up and get excited about my body shape again!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Can I say not to use another term? It makes it particularly confusing for any new comers or other people that don't frequent the board. Also for the record I'm not a huge fan of all the acronyms. One of the best things about this community is the inclusiveness and welcoming to newcomers. Overuse of specialized and cutesy terminology can be offputting.

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